As I’m currently in a show called “Dear Evan Hansen,” playing the part of a disconnected father who has trouble relating to his son, I’m continually reminded of all the people in my life who have given me advice over the years: friends, colleagues, directors—and the occasional gem from my late, great father, George Park Jr., who left us two years ago. Given the chance to meet myself at the beginning of my acting career and pass on some of their advice, the conversation might go something like this:
I’d start with something corny: Be yourself. There is no other person in the world like you. Things may get challenging at times, but there will always be a light. Always. You won’t know when or where it will hit, but trust that it will come. Don’t take rejection personally. It’s not about your ability as a performer most of the time. Relax. I admit it’s hard to be patient. Keep your eyes open and ask as many questions as possible. Take notes. Stay curious. I hope by now you know how to shave correctly. (Inside joke. But seriously... learn how to shave.)
I would tell my 23-year-old self to stay as positive and as patient as you can. Patience is key in this business, and we all have our own time. Everyone makes mistakes, and mistakes are opportunities to learn. You’ll have plenty of “opportunities.” Use them. Making the same one over and over is a habit, so stop doing that.
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Work ethic is everything in this business, and it is also the first thing people learn about you. Auditioning is the worst, but everyone has to do it. Overprepare. Take chances, experiment, and don’t be afraid to fail. Stop hoping so much and work harder. Being competitive and being ambitious are two different things. It’s OK to be both, just don’t be an asshole about it. And when a director gives you a note, say, “Thank you.” Being nice costs nothing, so always attempt to be a better person than you were yesterday. Leave your dressing room door open as much as possible, and learn people’s names. This business has a memory. Engage. Foster relationships—they go a long way in this world.
Call your mother. Tell her you’re OK!
Every job is a gift, so never take any experience for granted. (You are going to be in a flop or two, but those experiences are unforgettable.) No one likes a complainer, but sometimes you’ve just got to vent. Do it, then be done. Get out of your head. Get out of your way. It’s not always easy, but it can always be simplified. Be a present husband and father. Teach. Share. Bloody Marys really are the best cure for a hangover.
I’d remind my younger self again and again to never give up. That he is never alone. That he will be found. Then I’d tell him to try his hardest not to geek out when Michael Greif asks him to be in the reading of a brilliant new musical called “Dear Evan Hansen.”
I’d tell him all these things and much more if I only knew how to articulate it. Cheers. I’ve got to go call my mom.
Park is a two-time Emmy Award winner currently starring in Broadway’s “Dear Evan Hansen.”
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